Run: 2026-02-20-01KHY9NYJFVCZMPTD79R9YCGV0

## Voice Sheet: Scene - Alborn Cafe **Setting:** A cozy, slightly worn cafe in Alborn, MN. Morning light streams through the window. The aroma of coffee and apple pie hangs in the air. **Characters:** Melanie (30, German student, speaks only German), Hunter (35, Detective, speaks only English) --- **[SCENE START]** **Hunter:** (Approaching Melanie’s table, badge subtly visible) “Excuse me, miss. Mind if I ask you a quick question? Detective Hunter, Alborn PD.” **Melanie:** (Startled, looks up from examining a photo on her camera. Her eyes are wide and troubled.) “Oh… mein Gott… Was ist passiert? Ich… ich verstehe nicht.” (Oh… my God… What happened? I… I don’t understand.) **Hunter:** (Frowning, clearly confused) “Uh… pardon? I didn’t catch that. Are you alright? You seem… shaken up.” **Melanie:** (Gesturing wildly with her hands, clutching her camera tighter) “Der Mann… gestern… am Fluss! Es war schrecklich! Ich habe es gesehen! Verschwunden! Einfach so!” (The man… yesterday… by the river! It was terrible! I saw it! Vanished! Just like that!) **Hunter:** (Raises an eyebrow, leaning closer) “Man by the river? Vanished? Look, I'm investigating a disappearance… old man Hemlock. Did you see something yesterday near the Willow Creek?” **Melanie:** (Her voice trembling) “Willow Creek… Ja! Genau dort! Er war am Fotografieren… wie ich… dann… ein Geräusch… und weg! Als ob der Boden ihn verschluckt hat!” (Willow Creek… Yes! Exactly there! He was photographing… like me… then… a noise… and gone! As if the ground swallowed him!) **Hunter:** (Rubbing his chin, frustrated) “A noise? What kind of noise? Look, I need specifics. Was it loud? A vehicle? Animal?” **Melanie:** (Shaking her head frantically, trying to articulate. Gestures with her hands, mimicking a deep rumbling.) “Ich… ich weiss nicht! Es war tief… ein Grollen… und dann… nichts! Es war beängstigend! Ich hatte Angst!” (I… I don't know! It was deep… a rumble… and then… nothing! It was frightening! I was scared!) **Hunter:** (Sighs. Clearly hitting a wall) "Okay, okay. Deep rumble... Look, do you speak English at all? Just a little?" **Melanie:** (Sadly shakes her head) “Nein… Entschuldigung. Ich bin Deutsch. Ich lerne Englisch noch. Ich bin hier für ein Studienprogramm.” (No… Sorry. I am German. I am still learning English. I am here on a study abroad program.) **Hunter:** (Massages his temples) “Great. Just great. Look, I appreciate you trying to help. This is… complicated.” **(Hunter’s radio crackles to life.)** **Radio Voice (O.S.):** “Hunter, we’ve got something at the old mill. Possible sighting of… well, you need to get down here.” **Hunter:** (Into his radio) “On my way.” (To Melanie) “Look. I’m going to need to go. This is… important. Stay safe, okay?” **Melanie:** (Looking lost and confused, clutching her camera) “Warten Sie! Ich kann helfen! Ich habe ein Foto… vielleicht können Sie etwas sehen!” (Wait! I can help! I have a photo… maybe you can see something!) **Hunter:** (Already halfway out the door) “I'll… I’ll try to find someone who can translate. Thanks." (Turns back, a quick, apologetic glance) “Sorry.” **(Hunter exits the cafe, leaving Melanie staring after him, visibly distressed.)** **[SCENE END]** ---